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Falconer (Thomas) Collection
MS.682  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Scope and Contents
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note
  • Processing History
  • Acquisition
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Conditions Governing Access

  • Contributing Institution: Library and Archives at the Autry
    Title: Thomas Falconer Collection
    source: Hodge, Frederick Webb
    Identifier/Call Number: MS.682
    Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
    Date (inclusive): 1929-1930
    Abstract: This is a collection of Thomas Falconer data from 1929-1930 collected by F. W. Hodge, in preparation for the publication Letters and Notes on the Texan Santa Fe Expedition, 1841-1842 by Thomas Falconer, published by Dauber and Pine, New York City, in 1930, for which Hodge wrote the introduction and notes.
    Language of Material: English .

    Scope and Contents

    This is a collection of Thomas Falconer data from 1929-1930 collected by F. W. Hodge, in preparation for the publication Letters and Notes on the Texan Santa Fe Expedition, 1841-1842 by Thomas Falconer, published by Dauber and Pine, New York City, in 1930. Hodge wrote the introduction and notes for the publication. Materials include a photographic copy of a lithograph portrait of Falconer, and copies of Falconer correspondence from 1840-1841.

    Preferred Citation

    Thomas Falconer Collection, 1929-1930, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.682.

    Biographical Note

    Thomas Falconer (1805 25 June – 1882 28 August) was an English jurist and explorer. In 1840, Falconer immigrated to the Republic of Texas. On his arrival he obtained permission to accompany the Texan Santa Fe expedition as an observer. The expedition left Austin on 18 June. On the trail towards New Mexico, Falconer had his horse stolen by Indians. On 31 August, the expedition leader, Hugh McLeod, decided to split the party, with some to proceed to San Miguel and return with provisions, while the rest remained in camp. As Falconer had no horse, he remained in camp. Falconer's party was attacked by Indians a number of times, and nearly starved to death before the other party returned on 9 October as prisoners of the Mexicans. Falconer's party was also taken prisoner, and marched to Mexico City, arriving on 3 February 1842. He was then immediately released at the demand of the British minister.
    Later that year, Falconer published his account of the expedition as Expedition to Santa Fé: An Account of Its Journey from Texas through Mexico, with Particulars of Its Capture. In 1844 he also published Notes of a Journey through Texas and New Mexico, in the years 1841 and 1842 in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. After returning to England, he published another major work on his travels, The Oregon Question; or a Statement of the British Claims to the Oregon Territory in Opposition to the Pretension of the Government of the United States of America .

    Processing History

    Processed by Library staff after 1981. Finding aid completed by Holly Rose Larson, NHPRC Processing Archivist, 2012 November 8, made possible through grant funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commissions (NHPRC).

    Acquisition

    Donated by F. W. Hodge, 1945 October.

    Conditions Governing Use

    Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives  and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Letters and Notes on the Texan Santa Fe Expedition, 1841-1842
    Correspondence
    Texan Santa Fé Expedition, 1841
    Lithograph
    Texas -- Description and travel
    Mexico -- Description and travel
    Falconer, Thomas
    Hodge, Frederick Webb